Race and Disability – Black disabled experience in the UK’s music industry.
June 2023
The Unseen Unheard report and podcast is the product of a collaboration between Black Lives In Music (BLIM), the organisation advocating for equal opportunities for Black people to work in the UK music industry without discrimination, and Attitude is Everything.
Exploring the experiences of Black British disabled music creators and professionals, the report is based on survey findings extrapolated from BLIM’s landmark October 2021 report, Being Black in the UK Music Industry, presenting a range of responses and insights from 99 Black disabled music creators and 50 Black disabled industry professionals. These are complemented with new interviews carried out by BLIM in 2023, as well as a Foreword by Esta Rae, Senior Events Manager at the Association of Independent Music (AIM).
Key findings
- 74% of Black disabled music creators felt there are specific barriers to success in the industry because of their race or ethnicity compared to 58% of Black non-disabled creators who felt the same way.
- Only 38% of the 149 respondents felt that diversity and inclusion is an industry priority.
- A snapshot of 33 Black disabled music creators who had applied for funding found that only 42% had been successful, compared to 54% of Black non-disabled creators.
- 81% of Black disabled creators do not feel there is a clear career trajectory or path for them. Only 8% said they had felt supported through each career stage.
- 73% of Black disabled music creators and professionals said they had seen non-Black contemporaries promoted ahead of them despite being less qualified.
- 70% of Black disabled music creators and professionals said that they have experienced racism or racial bias towards them. 22% have accessed counselling as a result of these experiences.
- 91% of Black disabled creators and professionals said they felt unsatisfied with how they are supported by the music industry.
Report and podcast
The report culminates with a series of calls to action to talent development organisations, funders, industry support services, education providers and all industry employers.
Download the Unseen Unheard report (pdf)
Download the Unseen Unheard report (word)
Hosted by Attitude is Everything’s Joy Addo, and shared on the Black Lives In Music YouTube channel, the accompanying podcast series features in-depth interviews with Black disabled creators and industry professionals about their experiences of navigating the music business.
